MLAs try to manhandle Governor; Jayaprakash assaulted

PTI

Hyderabad, 17 February 2011: Bedlam prevailed in the Andhra Pradesh Legislature on Thursday as TRS and TDP MLAs hailing from Telangana region virtually manhandled Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan. Lok Satta Party President N. Jayaprakash Narayan and Congress MLC Paladugu Venkata Rao were allegedly beaten up in the premises.

 

Mr. Narasimhan arrived at the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for delivering his customary address to the joint sitting of both houses on the opening day of the Budget Session. The TRS MLAs first uprooted the mike and later the lectern as the Governor began his address.

 

Suddenly, two TDP MLAs — A. Revanth Reddy and Mahender Reddy — rushed from behind and pulled down the chairs on the podium.

 

In fact, Mr. Revanth Reddy surged towards the Governor and tried to pull him aside even as the Governor’s personal security staff prevented the MLA.

 

E.S.L.Narashimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh

 

The TRS MLAs also tore copies of the Governor’s speech and flung them at him while raising slogans “Governor go back.”

 

TRS MLA T. Harish Rao climbed the members’ table and tried to jump over the main podium but Marshals, who rushed inside the House, prevented him. His other colleagues stormed the podium and tried to push the Governor.

 

Council Chairman A. Chakrapani and Assembly Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar pleaded with the unruly members with folded hands not to resort to such acts but to no avail.

 

The TDP MLAs from Telangana region too joined the protest and hurled their shawls at the Governor. A large posse of plainclothes policemen (marshals) encircled the podium and stood guard to the Governor.

 

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu, former Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and other members were present as the bedlam continued.

 

Amidst the din, an unperturbed Governor continued his speech and completed it in nine-and-a-half minutes. The entire proceedings lasted just about 14 minutes.

 

Lok Satta Party leader beaten up

 

Telangana Rashtra Samiti MLAs allegedly beat up Lok Satta Party MLA N. Jayaprakash Narayan and Congress MLC Paladugu Venkata Rao. The incident occurred after the TRS MLAs tried to manhandle the Governor.

 

Mr. Jayaprakash was returning after addressing the media on the incident when TRS MLAs K.T. Rama Rao (K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s son), D. Vinay Bhaskar and Aravinda Reddy crossed his path.

 

They allegedly pushed Mr. Jayaprakash aside and beat him. The TRS MLAs also allegedly beat up senior Congress MLC Paladugu Venkata Rao who happened to be there. Both Mr. Jayaprakash and Mr. Venkata Rao are supporters of a unified Andhra Pradesh.

 

The Lok Satta Party chief, who suffered minor injuries in the attack, was treated by the Assembly doctors. Mr. Jayaprakash complained about the incident over phone to city Police Commissioner A.K. Khan.